As PMA celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, we want you to get to know the people behind the scenes that have contributed to PMA’s success. Each month we will feature a key PMA staff member on our blog.
This month we are highlighting Sue Cubranich, whose been with PMA for more than 20 years! Read on to get to know more about Sue and her role with PMA.
Name, title and time at PMA.
Susan Cubranich, production manager, celebrated 21 years at PMA this past April.
What made you want to work at PMA?
While working at Penton Media, I used to contact MetalForming magazine for ad materials for their tradeshow. Then a couple of people that worked at Penton were hired at PMA and I heard that they loved working there, so when I was given the opportunity to join the team, I jumped at it.
How has PMA changed over the years since you started?
Over the time I’ve been here PMA has evolved to embrace technology. No more white-out or typewriters, and unlike when I started here when the magazine was only accepting film for ads, now everything is sent digitally. This has streamlined our production and has helped us become more efficient. We’ve always been a lean staff and, like most companies, people have come and gone, and along the way we’ve become more reliant on the technology incorporated into our culture. Because of this we were able to work efficiently from home when the COVID pandemic hit. We now are back in our modern/remodeled space with state-of-the-art conference rooms and stand-up desks, just to mention a few of the upgrades.
First event/meeting that you worked on/attended.
The first event I worked/attended was the MAX International tradeshow in 2001, which was being held at the IX Center here in Cleveland. This was only my second week at PMA, and I was asked to help set up and work in the magazine booth. It was a great way to meet and team-build not only with the magazine staff but with the entire PMA team.
Favorite PMA memory?
First, I’d have to say that MAX International is one of them. Being accepted into the team quickly shaped my concept of what a good team is all about. I’ve also enjoyed attending the FABTECH tradeshows in the past, as it is always nice to put a face to a name. At the end of June, we hosted the district leadership conference, and I got to meet more of our members.
What does PMA mean to you?
PMA means a lot of things to me. First, it is a great association that serves our industry and garners the respect of our peers. It is a place that I have made a lot of friends and a place that I enjoy working. PMA takes the fight to Washington, D.C., when our members need help. We provide educational assistance, and we also work to help our districts thrive. It is a group of bright and intelligent people that make a difference.
What is your favorite part of your job? What excites you about working at PMA?
I’m lucky to truly like the people I work with. PMA has a great team of bright and talented people that work well together.
What has been your biggest achievement/success while at PMA?
Being able to keep expenses to a minimum has been a success. Working to secure printing bids that allow us to keep delivering our products to the industry while still making a profit has been challenging for the past 5-10 years, and it seems that this will continue to be a big part of my job.